A case of multiple recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection with severe hematochezia in an immunocompromised host. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Xuewu; Chen, Yunbo; Gu, Silan; Zheng, Beiwen; Lv, Tao; Lou, Yinjun; Jin, Jie
• Is Part Of: Anaerobe. Volume 42(2016)
• Page Start: 31
• Page End: 32
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Clostridium difficile infection -- Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) -- Treatment; Anaerobic infections -- Periodicals; Anaerobic bacteria -- Periodicals; Bacterial diseases -- Periodicals; Computer network resources; Anaerobic protozoa -- Periodicals; 579.3
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2016.06.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1075-9964

Abstract

Abstract: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is increasing in incidence and severity. Clinically, diarrhea frequently occurs, but severe hematochezia is rarely seen with CDI. We describe here a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipient who experienced life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding due to severe CDI. Subsequent stool surveillance and molecular typing observed the patient who had two episodes of recurrence with a new strain of C. difficile distinct from the initial infection. We analyze C. difficile strains obtained from the patient, and also discuss the diagnosis and treatment of this case. Highlights: We describe a case of life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding due to CDI. The present case suggests that not all recurrent CDI is due to true relapses. We treated the patient with adjunctive intracolonic vancomycin therapy. Importance of surveillance stool in patients with CDI.